Captiva Fishing, Fingers O’Bannon History, May 1, 2017

Posted by Charlie & Tim Landon
Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. "Fingers mans the grill and cooks up a delicious lunch." Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. “Fingers mans the grill and cooks up a delicious lunch.” Source: New York Social Diary.

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Fingers O’Bannon History.

Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Pointer. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Pointer. Source: New York Social Diary.

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Fishing Guides & Fishing Charters: A Bit Of History On Fingers O’Bannon, The Namesake Of The Cabbage Key Snook Tournament.

Fingers O’Bannon was a colorful, beloved and famous hunting and fishing guide in southwest Florida.  As is related in the oral history below, Fingers apparently got his name because he had several libations one evening and was lighting cherry bombs with a cigar.  To his regret, at one point Fingers became distracted and made the mistake of lighting the firework with the cigar, but throwing the cigar rather than the cherry bomb.

The result was several missing fingers.  Fingers cheerfully soldiered on and continued as a very skilled hunter and fisherman and guide after his accident, and a loyal friend to all.

This content is sourced primarily from the University of Florida oral history archives.   The subject is the early development of Cape Coral, but Fingers O’Bannon is mentioned prominently as a big and lively character during this era in southwest Florida.  The interview is in May of 1989.  David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dockmaster of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin.

The photographs are sourced from the New York Social Diary, a New York society publication.  Fingers and Ogden Phipps are quail hunting near Clewiston, Florida in January 1970.

Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Source: New York Social Diary.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O'Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #1.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O’Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #1.
Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Moving through the terrain. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Moving through the terrain. Source: New York Social Diary.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O'Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #2.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O’Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #2.
Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Camp. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Camp. Source: New York Social Diary.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O'Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #3.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O’Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #3.
Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Aerial View. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Aerial View. Source: New York Social Diary.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O'Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #4.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O’Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #4.
Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Quail hunting. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Quail hunting. Source: New York Social Diary.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O'Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #5.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O’Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #5.
Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. In the field. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. In the field. Source: New York Social Diary.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O'Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #6.
May of 1989. David Dodrill is interviewing Edward Hansen, the dock master of the Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Fingers O’Bannon, Lee County Oral History Archives, University of Florida, Page #6.
Fingers O'Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Dog in the field. Source: New York Social Diary.
Fingers O’Bannon & Ogden Phipps, Quail Hunting, Clewiston Florida, January 1970. Dogs in the field. Source: New York Social Diary.

We’re located at Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

For more photos and/or fishing reports from our other Captains’ boats from other marinas, please also visit our Sanibel, Fort Myers, Seashell & Shelling, Florida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites. Please check here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams. Click here for College Of Fishing Hats & Apparel.

We’re big advocates of catch and release, particularly for snook, but pretty much for most species.  Only take what you are going to eat, and a lot of fish are better off as sportfish, even if they are in season.  Our motto is let ‘em get bigger and catch ‘em again!

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Whether you’re a longtime customer who has fished with us for many years or a first-time customer, expert fisherman or just a family with young children out to catch fish and have fun, you are going to enjoy being out in the boat with Hank and me!  We greatly appreciate your friendship and business!

We grew up on Sanibel and Captiva fishing and shelling every day! It is what we know and do well!

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Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ please click calendar at the upper left or call 239-472-8658 to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.